autonomic ganglia

(noun)

Clusters of neuronal cell bodies and their dendrites that are a junction between the autonomic nerves originating from the central nervous system and the autonomic nerves innervating their target organs in the periphery.

Related Terms

Examples of autonomic ganglia in the following topics:

  • Parasympathetic (Craniosacral) Division

    • Parasympathetic ganglia are the autonomic ganglia of the parasympathetic nervous system that lie near or within the organs they innervate.
    • Parasympathetic ganglia are the autonomic ganglia of the parasympathetic nervous system, blue fibers).
    • Most are small terminal ganglia or intramural ganglia, so named because they lie near or within (respectively) the organs they innervate.
    • The parasympathetic nervous system, shown in blue, is a division of the autonomic nervous system.
    • Describe features of the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system

  • Autonomic Ganglia

    • Autonomic ganglia are clusters of neuron cell bodies that transmit sensory signals from the periphery to the integration centers in the CNS.
    • Autonomic ganglia are clusters of neuronal cell bodies and their dendrites.
    • They are essentially a junction between autonomic nerves originating from the central nervous system and autonomic nerves innervating their target organs in the periphery.
    • These include the celiac ganglia, superior mesenteric ganglia, and inferior mesenteric ganglia.
    • Parasympathetic ganglia are the autonomic ganglia of the parasympathetic nervous system.

  • Sympathetic Nervous System

    • Sympathetic ganglia are the ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system that initiate fight-or-flight, stress-mediated responses.
    • The sympathetic ganglia are the ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system (the red lines in the diagram below).
    • These include the celiac ganglia, the superior mesenteric ganglia, and the inferior mesenteric ganglia.
    • The parasympathetic nervous system, shown in blue, is a division of the autonomic nervous system.
    • Describe the features of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system

  • Preganglionic Neurons

    • In the autonomic nervous system (ANS), nerve fibers that connect the central nervous system to ganglia are known as preganglionic fibers.
    • In the autonomic nervous system (ANS), fibers from the central nervous system to the ganglion are known as preganglionic fibers.
    • The paravertebral ganglia of the sympathetic chain (these run on either side of the vertebral bodies), cervical ganglia, thoracic ganglia, rostral lumbar ganglia, caudal lumbar ganglia, and pelvic ganglia.
    • The prevertebral ganglia celiac ganglion, aorticorenal ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion, inferior mesenteric ganglion.
    • The site of synapse formation and this divergence for both the sympathetic and parasympathetic preganglionic neurons does, however, occur within ganglia situated within the peripheral nervous system.

  • Autonomic Plexuses

    • Autonomic plexuses are formed from sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers that innervate and regulate the overall activity of visceral organs.
    • Autonomic plexuses are formed from sympathetic postganglionic axons, parasympathetic preganglionic axons, and some visceral sensory axons.
    • The pulmonary plexus is an autonomic plexus formed from pulmonary branches of vagus nerve and the sympathetic trunk.
    • The esophageal plexus and the cardiac plexus contain the same types of fibers and are both considered thoracic autonomic plexus(es).
    • The abdominal aortic plexus is formed by branches derived, on either side, from the celiac plexus and ganglia, and receives filaments from some of the lumbar ganglia.

  • Disorders of the Basal Ganglia

    • Basal ganglia disease refers to physical dysfunctions that occur when basal ganglia fail to suppress unwanted movements.
    • An example of a hypokinetic basal ganglia disease is Parkinsonism.
    • The basal ganglia is a collective group of structures in the brain .
    • Other motor deficits and common non-motor features of Parkinson's, such as autonomic dysfunction, cognitive impairment, and gait/balance difficulties, are thought to result from widespread progressive pathological changes commencing in the lower brain stem and ascending to the midbrain, amygdala, thalamus, and ultimately the cerebral cortex.
    • This is a diagram of the main circuits of the basal ganglia.

  • Postganglionic Neurons

    • In the autonomic nervous system, fibers from the ganglion to the effector organ are called postganglionic fibers.
    • In the autonomic nervous system, fibers from the ganglion to the effector organ are called postganglionic fibers.
    • Presynaptic nerves' axons terminate in either the paravertebral ganglia or prevertebral ganglia.
    • Their axons continue away from the CNS to synapse at an autonomic ganglion close to the organ of innervation.
    • In the autonomic nervous system, preganglionic fibers (shown in light blue) carry information from the CNS to the ganglion.

  • Clusters of Neuronal Cell Bodies

    • One exception is the basal ganglia which are located not in the periphery but rather in the forebrain.
    • Ganglia are composed mainly of neuron cell bodies (somata) and dendritic structures.
    • Satellite glial cells (SGCs) also surround neuron cell bodies within ganglia.
    • SGCs have been found to hold a variety of roles, including control over the microenvironment of sympathetic ganglia.
    • Satellite glial cells are expressed throughout the sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglia in their respective nervous system divisions.

  • Enteric Nervous System

    • The ENS is capable of autonomous functions such as the coordination of reflexes.
    • The neurons of the ENS are collected into two types of ganglia: myenteric (Auerbach's) and submucosal (Meissner's) plexuses.
    • These tissues also send information back to the sympathetic pre-vertebral ganglia, the spinal cord, and the brain stem .
    • The enteric nervous system can operate autonomously.
    • An illustration of neural control of the gut wall by the autonomic nervous system and the enteric nervous system.

  • Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

    • The autonomic nervous system is a part of the peripheral nervous system that controls visceral functions such as heart rate and digestion.
    • These have been found to be integral in autonomic function, particularly in the gut and the lungs.
    • The enteric nervous system is sometimes considered part of the autonomic nervous system, and sometimes considered an independent system.
    • The fibers originate in the sympathetic ganglia of T-5 to L-2 and terminate mainly on the enteric plexuses, but also a few nerves terminate in the mucosa it self.
    • An illustration of neural control of the gut wall by the autonomic nervous system and the enteric nervous system.